Master the continuous critical thinking strategies required to connect the dots, overcome cognitive bias, and drive reliable conclusions at every stage of the investigative process.
Effective investigations rely on more than evidence collection—they depend on the investigator’s ability to think critically, connect facts, and develop sound conclusions under pressure. In cases where digital tools and electronic evidence are limited or unavailable, investigative reasoning becomes the foundation of successful case development.
This course explores how investigators can apply structured reasoning to physical observations, behavioral analysis, timeline reconstruction, witness and suspect statements, and interview strategy. Participants will gain practical insight into the three core logical frameworks that drive investigative decision-making: inductive, deductive, and abductive reasoning. Through real-world investigative concepts and applied analysis, the session will strengthen participants’ ability to assess information, identify inconsistencies, and build coherent investigative theories.
Key Topics Discussed:
Owner - President | Successful Interviewing Techniques - a Division of Highly Motivated Inc.
Don retired as Deputy Director Western Campus, North Carolina Justice Academy, and was formerly manager of the Investigations Center of the North Carolina Justice Academy. Don has law enforcement experience in rural and municipal law enforcement agencies and instructional areas including Interviewing, Detecting Deception, Rapport Building, Interrogation, Persuasion, Audit-Related Interviewing, Investigations, and Investigative Discourse Analysis. For over a period of 35 years, his interviewing instruction and investigative assistance has been provided to related professionals in 46 U.S States as well as Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Belgium, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Trinidad, Barbados, Singapore, Ireland, and England. In addition, he has provided training to Federal, State, and Local Criminal Justice Personnel, NATO Counterintelligence Personnel as well as private sector investigative and corporate security personnel. Don has his A.A.S. in Criminal Justice, from Davidson County Community College and a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration, from East Tennessee State University. He has performed advanced studies at Eastern Kentucky University and has military experience with the US Army. He is a published author of 4 texts: Interviewing and Interrogation 2nd edition; Investigative Discourse Analysis 2nd Edition; Persuasive Interviewing; Fraud Related Interviewing and is editor of the interviewing focused newsletter, Hamlet’s Mind.
